Grammars among county's most popular schools

Up to 10 pupils are competing for places at the country's most popular schools, according to new figures.

Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows grammar and faith schools dominate a list of the most sought-after secondaries in England.

Despite government attempts to derail academically selective schools, grammars make up four of the top 10.

Bexley Grammar, south-east London, rejected nine pupils for every one it admitted this year. In today's survey, carried out for The Daily Telegraph, 150 local authorities in England were asked to name their most over-subscribed school, with 118 submitting full details.

In all, England's six most popular secondary schools turned down more than 5,300 applications where the student had placed them as their top choice.

Three of the Government's new semi-independent academies, sponsored and run by private companies, churches, charities and fee-paying schools, also appeared among the top 10, which will be seen as a vindication of the controversial reforms.

One academy, Bacon's College in Southwark, south London, received 1,442 "first choice" applicants for 180 places. The school is co-sponsored by the Church of England.

The Al-Hijrah Secondary School, another faith school, was named as Birmingham's most popular school. It had 374 applicants for just 60 places.

Grammar schools including Ilford County High, in Redbridge, Essex; Kendrick School, Reading, Berkshire; and King Edward VI School, Chelmsford, Essex, were also among the most popular in the country, with around five children competing for every place.

The popularity of the schools is despite strong criticism of the grammar school system by Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary.

In a speech to head teachers, Mr Balls insisted that those who missed out on selective places were made to feel like they had "already failed" at the age of 11.

The comments were made as he unveiled a multi-million pound package to improve standards at struggling secondary moderns – non-selective schools in grammar school areas.

But the National Grammar Schools Association accused Mr Balls of a "secret plan" to abolish grammars, insisting that the latest evidence showed he was acting against the wishes of parents.